Black Lives Matter protest planned for Friday football game at BHS

Update:
A Black Lives Matter peaceful protest is planned for the Belleville High School football game against Lincoln High School at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21.
The plan is for protesters to sit on the visitors (Lincoln) side of the field and chant during the game and then take to the field when the game is over to chant some more. The directions are to stay seated when the National Anthem is played.
The protest is called a “Power in Unity Rally” and participants were told there is to be no violence, disrespect, harassing, or profanity.
Some of the chants planned are, “No Justice No Peace” and “When Black Lives are under attack, we stand up; we fight back.”
Participants say their protest has nothing to do with what’s going on in the Belleville schools.
It all started when some students at Lincoln Consolidated Schools wanted to join the Black Lives Matter protests against “inequality demonstrated by the multiple deaths due to police brutality,” said Taylor Killich, a Lincoln High School student.
She said the volleyball team, of which she is a part, has been kneeling for weeks when the National Anthem is played. Taylor said the Lincoln Athletic Department had added a “freedom of speech, freedom of expression” line to its rules and so there was no problem.
At the football game against Pioneer on Oct. 14, half of the football team kneeled for the National Anthem and a woman wrote about it on Facebook, showed pictures and said nasty things, Taylor said.
Other parents started harassing the team over the kneeling, Taylor said.
Taylor said the cheerleading coach reportedly told cheerleaders that if they participated in any way in the Black Lives Matter protests, they would be off the team.
Lincoln Cheer Coach Christina Spurley, who has been coaching for ten years, said she has 21 girls on her team and some are being pressured to participate in the protest. She said some wanted to put Black Lives Matter on their bandanas and others were uncomfortable with that.
She said the girls are on one team and should wear one uniform and look alike and cheer as one team. She said if a person feels so strongly about being part of the protest, she can participate in that.
While football players have knelt for the National Anthem they are not allowed to wear anything else on their uniforms.
Spurley said, “I understand a big cause and wanting to be a part of it. But I think the students should go to a high school football game and have fun at a football game.” She pointed out for some of the seniors it will be their last football game experience.
Spurley said she has been getting threatening phone calls about what will happen at the game.
At the game some cheerleaders planned to wear Black Lives Matter headbands in protest, no matter the punishment, Taylor said.
On Oct. 19, multiple choir members held up their fists in protest against the National Anthem, Taylor said.
She said nationwide, athletes are kneeling and raising fists to protest inequality and the high schoolers wanted to protest peacefully, too.
Chairman of planning Friday’s protest is DaQuann Harrison, a Lincoln student.
He said they were protesting at BHS because it was the last football game of the year and they wanted to participate in the national movement.
DaQuann said they got 100 extra Black Lives Matter shirts ordered, but didn’t know if they’d get them in time for the protest. Everyone who didn’t have a Black Lives Matter shirt was told to wear all black that night.
He said organizers expected 200 protesters, with 70 of them Belleville students.
“It feels good to be protesting injustices,” DaQuann said.
He said because Belleville and Lincoln are rival teams, they often play tricks on each other on game night.
“This year, instead, we’ll be doing something positive,” he said.
On Thursday, when details of the protest came to light, Van Buren Public Schools Supt. Pete Kudlak met with Belleville Police to discuss the protest.
Supt. Kudlak talked with DaQuann and Supt. Kudlak told DaQuann the district had no problem with peaceful protests. DaQuann said the plan was for a peaceful demonstration.
Nakia Hawkins-Hudson, a BHS senior, is also a member of the organizing committee. She said she used to attend Lincoln schools and she is representing Belleville on the Black Lives Matter Committee.
Although there were some rumors that the protesters planned to disrupt the BHS Marching Band that was to perform on the field, DaQuann said there is no plan to interrupt the band.
On Thursday night, Supt. Kudlak sent out emails to BHS parents explaining what the students had planned for their protest and, “If you are planning to attend the game, we would appreciate you helping us to keep the environment safe by not engaging the protesters in any way.”

43 Comments

They need to leave this at their own school! Don’t bring that into our community. Give me a break, their is so much injustice in our 3 communities. Come on, and you disrespect the national anthem that every race and religion has fought for. You’re a disgrace to our community and country. And if it so bad in Belleville, Sumpter and Van Buren then don’t live here and go to our district. Leave the USA and then stand up, fight for your country. This should not be allowed at our high school that we as parents live and pay taxes for. Take your protest somewhere else. Because every life matters, and you are taking away from our BHS students to pink out the stadium for breast cancer.

Here’s another thing.. protest, wear your shirts, it’s your right. All lives matter. But why disrespect the Anthem?? All our families fought for our freedom. That’s the part I don’t get. People wouldn’t be so upset.

My little brother just graduated boot camp from the air force they told us during the national anthem we did not have to stand so shut the Hell up about that flag that don’t mean shit to them guys that’s fighting for us they said when I asked him those guys and female’s said there protecting the country and people not the flag what’s funny you people want be there because your scarred of us tough on the Internet and in a group but want say none of this to our faces.

You people are so ignorant… Whether you agree with the movement or not, people have the right to peacefully protest. The only time things get dangerous is when extremists who don’t agree with the movement act in violence. So, why don’t you stand up for the National Anthem and let those who want to kneel, kneel. Who cares! Stop making such a publication about these things.

No I’m not ignorant. I am very well educated. This is no place for this protest. You may be the ignorant one for believing it will be peaceful. They can do this at their own school and not ruin senior night and breast cancer awareness for our BHS students. This is our high school not theirs.

Wow really, there is your issue. Your the bigot. You do know that word go both ways. The bottom line is you cannot guarantee a peaceful protest when you cannot predict others actions. Unless your God? And the fact that this entire point of the article is allowing this to proceed at the high school tonight to ruin the evening for our kids. And being done by another district. And until that person is 18, they have limited rights to anything considering thst it is the parent who receives the call when they get in trouble.

You’re ignorant if you believe that the only time it becomes violent is when extremists who don’t agree interact. Do you own a TV, have you seen the news? It’s a hate group that is bent on causing violence. Wasn’t one of the chants “No Justice, no peace”? Was this threat to the football players? Was it to the students or school officials? Who are you threatening with “no peace”? Why are you doing it at a Highschool? The movement may have started with good intentions, but it has lost it’s way by the protesters.

the national anthem has a third verse that we do not sing and there is a reason why. so we have reasoning to “disrespect ” the national anthem as you see it. & of course every life matters but we’re focused on the lives that are being targeted. maybe its not clear to you because your kids don’t have a target on their back everywhere they go and the system is made for them and yourself. so yes every life matters but we’re focused on the black ones right now. lastly, anywhere is a place for protest. its to show ignorant people like you that this is a big issue and if not standing during your oh so precious national anthem is the way to do it it will continue to be done as well as protesting.

I am shocked that Mr. Kudlak, new “shining star” superintendent would put our kids at risk. This would never ever had happened with Mr. Van Tassell. Where are all you Savage Strong people now? Knowing high schoolers the way I do there could very conceivably be a flash mob. My son has received texts about this. My band student WILL NOT be in attendance this evening, which is very sad, as it is the last show of the year. This is a clear and present danger to our students, as one angry parent or kid could set off a powder keg. The Black Lives Matter concept is a good one, and black lives DO matter. But in a controlled and safe atmosphere, not at a high school sports event, where apparently Kudlak is unaware, there is already a huge rivalry between the schools, and there have been fights and problems for years. Add thousands of extra kids who are flash mobbing and looking for excitement, it could be disaster. This is a stupid stupid and naive decision by the Kudlak, who is afraid to say NO at the risk to the safety of OUR students. We need someone strong in that office, not a wimp.

When I first saw this on FB it made it sound like it was a BHS thing. This is a VISITING schools thing. It should have been done on their own school field. This protest does not need to be at a high school football game at all. This peaceful protest should not have been allowed.

Such a shame. I didn’t go to BHS, nor do I have children that attend the school, but I live nearby and would love to go to a game – in fact, tonight could have been that opportunity. But crap like this discourages me from doing so.

If you want to get down to it more whites are shot then black quit crimes and you wouldn’t have don’t worry about it if you pull a gun on a police officer you deserve to get shot the Belleville High School administration is just giving in there is no place for this in football Belleville High School you are disgraceful and I didn’t graduate from Belleville very much ashamed of this school you need to focus on black on black crime fat has a higher rate of murder none of you want to focus on that if you care about black lies matter start with yourselves and The Killing of black on black crimes stop your poor pitiful me attitude if you don’t like the way things are there are other countries all life’s matter

Shouldn’t it be all lives matter? Pretty ironic that there have been 3x the number of white/ other killed then black involving sn officer but I do not recall any starting a riot peaceful or other from any of them. See the Washington posts database data below

If ypu do not want to stand and honor the American citizens that have died to give you the right to breathe in this country then you should pack your shot and go back to wherever your great,great,great,great ancestors were born

I think White People are just scared to admit there is a real issue in this world. I wish you could take a peak at the life of an African American who obeys the law and is trying to make a good life for their families. You are automatically profiled as being a criminal, especially if you are a black male. Please don’t say it doesn’t happen, because it happens all to often. You try to put it behind you but it because ithappens all the time, it is challenging.
I think there are radicals within the BLM movement as there is people against it, unfortunately we are thrown into one big bucket.
The protests are meant to bring awareness to a situation that really exists and it’s not tunnel visioned to “cops shooting black men”. Please keep and open mind and put yourself in the shoes of those asking for justice.

Our national anthem talks about slavery, can you really blame BLM, or anyone really to not stand for it? Our country is going downhill and I am HAPPY kids can see all of the ugly happening in the world and they are taking a stand for it and what they believe in. Maybe you all should get your head out of your butts and see they are trying to make a change and maybe you should too? Wake up

Could you please clarify which part of our national anthem talks about slavery? I’m not trying to be argumentative or disrespectful to your position but your comment has me terribly confused. Thank you.

Anon, help me out. Where does national anthem talk about slavery? You might want to listen to the anthem…get YOUR head out per say. Anthem is about War of 1812. Look it up. Taking a stand is fine but disrespect is just disrespect. Protest another way and learn about national anthem first.

These young people have every right to protest and they have communicated with local law enforcement and the schools/teams involved. I am proud of them for taking a stand but doing it in a way that respected everyone. I hope these young people continue to be active and work to make a difference in this world!

For everyone talking about how this is inappropriate at a football game, sitting out the anthem is offensive, etc..

This is exactly why these things are done. Everyone has the right to protest, everyone has the right to sit during the anthem. Especially in a public space. BLM is doing it here to spread awareness to all communities. Awareness is spread by creating controversy. If they protested at the capital, no one here would even care. The important thing is that people talk about it.

If you want to hold your kids back because you disagree, that is your right as well. If you want to protest the protest, that is your right.

If you disagree with the movement, talk about what you disagree with. But it is not fair to tell people they are not allowed to protest peacefully. The very foundation of our democracy relies on the ability to protest.

“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

I am a parent of one of the Lincoln football athletes who took a knee at the game tonight and I can assure you that he did it because he was fully informed about the epidemic of police brutality against people of color in this country and NOT because he was looking for attention or “10 minutes of fame.” I also sat in the bleachers during the game and listened to the BLM protesters. I read their signs, heard their chants and saw them peacefully march around the bleachers. The worst thing they did all night was block our view at one point when they went by the student section (which, by the way, was no more than the other students who were standing at the railing were doing) and a woman went to contact the Superintendent and tell him to call the polce over. . . There was no violence. They did not interrupt the game. They didn’t “ruin senior night” as some people suggested. They simply exercised their 1st Ammendment Right to free speech. I am proud that I was there to witness it!

You are part of the problem of division and the fact that you encourage that behavior proves it. I am quite sure if the white people had a “White Lives Matter” rally you would feel different. My child also attends Lincoln and I am ashamed and very disturbed by this. By the way we are NOT white!

As far as I’m concerned this has nothing to do with race. No matter what the protest, it does not belong at a school. Its seems to me if Lincoln felt so strongly about this issue that they should of held this protest at a home game not bring it to their rival Belleview.

This is unbelievable and uncalled for at High School sports. It is very sad it has come to this, I cannot believe there are parents out there encouraging their child to take part in this. It does explain why there is so much division in this area if this is how we teach our kids. My child attends Lincoln and has never missed a football game until last night – way to go – you have succeeded in dividing our children.

The word protest is defined as a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something: synonyms: objection, complaint, exception, disapproval, challenge. Are these words and actions that belong at a high school sporting event? I think not Mr. Kudlak. Use your brain. You’ve divided the students, the community and even the teachers. Time to get real and use your brain, that’s why they hired you. A protest can and should be held outside of and separate from a high school sporting event. Use your brain Kudlak. Thank goodness we have wonderful students and they behaved wonderfully. Even many of the high school staff and administrative people were stunned that you approved this event. I talked to many who were at the game, and they can’t believe it. Don’t make their jobs harder by making stupid decisions because you can’t say NO. Student always safety comes first dude, time to get your head around that fact! Student lives matter, no matter who they are. All students were at risk on Friday evening, and by the grace of God, nothing happened. You’ve given the district a bruising, and frankly, my husband and I will be pulling our kids and my stepkids from the district. Two of my kids are biracial. You endangered their lives by pointing out they are “different.” Bye bye VBPS, I have choices, you blew it.

Thank you Mr. Kudlak for having the foresight and integrity it takes to make a difficult decision. Allowing a peaceful protest was the right thing to do, it was very important for these young students to be heard peacefully so thanks for giving them the opportunity. Martin Luther King would be proud of you for realizing the importance of this issue.

Thank you Mr. Kudlak for teaching our young people that their voices should be heard also. I know you are catching a lot of flack over this, but I too agree you did the right thing. And if parents don’t understand, and want to take their children out of VPS system, the VPS I think will be better off without that type of bigoted thinking. I was at the game with my Belleville student, and others who supported, and wanted to witness this wonderful historic act at BHS. It went peaceful without incident. I am proud to see a Superintendent who is willing to stand up for ALL students, and not just the majority. I commend you, and respect your decision.

Agree with you. I applaud the school district as well. I couldn’t believe the things I heard my so called friends say or post on Facebook about this event. It made me sick to my stomach to realize people who I thought were decent people are closet racists. It’s sad and this just summarizes exactly why these kids felt the need to protest. The reaction of some parents speak volumes. The comments above tell the story and show how our country in on the verge of a race war.